Man Arrives At Sheriff's Office With Gunshot Wounds

Local police reported that a man was driven to the sheriff's office this morning, Wednesday, May 27, 2015 around 8:00 am with two gunshot wounds to the lower part of his chest. The sheriff's office reported that Garnett Richard Odell, 64, of Cave Hollow Bay told police that he'd gone out to his truck for cigarettes around 3:00 am, when an unknown assailant shot him twice and got away. Police said the man also told them that his sister found him around 7:30am to give him a ride to court. According to court records, Odell is on trial for five counts of 1st degree sexual abuse dating back to 2011.  Odell told police that his sister tried to call an ambulance, he refused, but allowed her to bring him to the sheriff's office.

Edmonson County EMS transported Odell to the Medical Center in Bowling Green and the trial had to be postponed. Sheriff Shane Doyle and Lieutenant Jeff Jewell then traveled to Odell's home to investigate. Upon arrival, Odell's son, who was at the residence, gave them consent to search the premises, as he told them he was not aware of a shooting. 

Police say there was blood throughout the home and after further investigation, they found blood in and around Odell's truck. Inside they found two .22 caliber bullets, one lodged in the roof of the truck, the other lodged into the driver's headrest.

Sheriff Doyle then interviewed Odell after it was determined with the help of Lt. Jewell, who is a certified bullet path re-constructionist, that it was virtually impossible for someone else to have shot Odell other than himself. 

During the interview, Sheriff Doyle said Odell told him the same story at first, but after further questioning, Odell admitted that he was the one who shot himself in a botched suicide attempt. 

Odell was treated and released for non-life threatening injuries. Police say both bullets entered Odell's chest just under the left side of the rib cage and exited out his back. 

Police say no new charges are being filed at this time, and Odell's sex abuse trial is obviously being rescheduled.

Darren Doyle,
Edmonson Voice

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